Page 43 of Queen’s Gambit

Chapter 13

Roksana

Imoved my hand to the necklace. The piece of someone’s… no, my mother’s heart. Warmth spread beneath my fingers, the stone responding to my touch. Rey moved to my side, his hand wrapping around my waist, before he gestured for the musicians to play again.

The surrounding crowd dispersed, leaving only a few high nobles and royal guests scattered throughout the room. I forced my hand to drop. It wasn’t the time or place to dwell on living stones. Not with so many eyes observing me.

Gniev, the orcish Tain, came closer, pulling a carved gold bracelet from his wrist. The warm metal held a sharp fang.

‘I heard him call you Viper. This is the fang of a lamia, the most venomous creature on the steppe. My gift to the queen in waiting.’

I stepped forward, reaching out, and Gniev slid it onto my wrist. It was so big I had to pull it up my arm. ‘Thank you, Tain. Dagome will remember this gift and your loyalty.’

Arean came next. The Dark Fae grinned as he spread his arms open. ‘You surprised us, Lady Roksana. I have no gifts to give, but it is customary to kiss a queen upon her ascendance.’

‘It is also customary to knock out the teeth of any man who touches one’s woman. I’m sure we can trade those customs,’ Reynard deadpanned, and I froze, waiting for the Dark Fae’s reaction.

‘True, true. In that case, I offer a favour. One of your choosing, my lady.’ Then, looking Reynard in the eye, he took my hand and placed a feather-light kiss on my knuckles.

The Wind Master fae offered the most beautiful sunny weather for the day of my wedding, regardless of the season.

‘I believe you already received my gift, Lady Roksana.’ Prince Iasno’ta approached with an unreadable expression. My eyebrows shot up.

‘And that is…?’

He inclined his head towards Lily. ‘Since you took my fae, Lilliana Ordo’lan is now your burden. Do as you please with her.’

Smack.

The imprint of my hand reddened the prince’s cheek. The sound of the slap was lost in the music, but the evidence of what I’d done couldn’t be erased. Worse, I didn’t regret it. From the moment Lily entered, her kin had shunned her, and now this? Gifted as if she were nothing but a broken toy to discard?

Irsha’s hand slid off the hilt of his dagger, the corner of his mouth rising in a cold, cruel smile. One that prophesied a short and painful life for the Light Fae prince after the war ended.

‘She is not yours to give,’ I snarled through clenched teeth, wondering whether I could salvage the situation.

‘So that’s how your queen conducts herself?’ Iasno’ta sneered, but his reaction lacked the bite of genuine anger. ‘You call yourself a man but you can’t even discipline your woman?’

‘I don’t know what rock you’ve been living under, but real women can’t be tamed, and I wouldn’t have it any other way,’ Reynard said, beaming with pride. He nodded to Lily, who looked at her prince with such venom it surprised me he didn’t keel over dead. ‘Lilliana is free to make her own choices. She lived in Dagome for years and will always have a place in my kingdom.’

‘In that case, I’ll take my leave.’ The prince executed a mocking bow, heading towards the far corner where the Lumivitae gathered, awaiting his return.

‘Your Majesty, the captain of the guards found something… and insists only you can see it,’ the Chamberlain said, his expression panicked.

The musicians decided that moment needed a dramatic crescendo, and I cursed under my breath. ‘Go, I’ll handle the rest. Your brother’s here in case someone truly upsets me.’

Reynard nodded, striding off with the flustered Chamberlain. Irsha led Lily closer to me.

‘I don’t understand. The prince was grateful yesterday when I told him about Niersen’s betrayal,’ Lily said, and I shook my head, observing the Lumivitae men.

More and more of them flocked to a far corner, buzzing like angry bees. I turned to follow the Light Fae prince only to face the Tangra Prefect, who blocked my way.

‘Lady Roksana, I am so ecstatic to be congratulating you on this elevation in your status. Would you join me for a dance? I insist.’ He reached for my hand as if I had already agreed.

Does he still think I’m helpless and locked in an augurec collar? Anger made my mouth dry, preventing an instant refusal. I swallowed hard, but the hesitation gave me the chance to collect myself.

The Prefect was still waiting with his hand hovering in the air and a friendly, expectant smile. My gaze darted to the corner where his Clericus was talking to Prince Iasno’ta, who nodded as if agreeing with whatever the old man was saying.

‘Fine.’ I sneered, allowing him to guide me to the floor, ready to hear his threat or offer.